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Isle Of Wight Festival: Drink Drive Warning

Roads policing officers will be delivering sobering messages about the dangers of drink and drug-driving to Isle of Wight Festival-goers this week.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) will be at the three-day event near Newport starting on Friday (June 22nd) reminding revellers not to drive home if they are planning a weekend of excess.

Those intending to drive home after the festival should make alternative arrangements if they are planning a heavy session of drinking on their last night as they may still be over the limit the following morning.

Officers on the island will be conducting drink-drive operations over the weekend and anyone over the limit can expected to be arrested and taken into custody.

Festival-goers will have a chance to see if they are fit to drive by taking a voluntary breathalyser test as they leave the venue and head to their cars.

Sergeant Paul Bailey from the force’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Don’t let a great weekend end on a sour note. Be sure you’re sober before heading home. If you’re not sure you will be make alternative travel arrangements– better that than a drink-driving conviction, or worse.

“If you want to make sure you’re sober, a voluntary breathalyser test is available at the campsite police office for anyone who genuinely wants to drive but is unsure if their alcohol level has returned to zero.

“All you have to do is breathe into the kit and we’ll let you know whether or not you’re safe to get behind the wheel.

“You won’t be arrested if you’re over the limit, but you will be told not drive. If you ignore our advice you will be arrested which will be a much bigger inconvenience to your travel plans.

“Our aim is to keep everyone safe on the roads, not to spoil anyone’s fun.”

Sgt Bailey said: “Everyone takes a risk when they get inside a car. But if you choose – and make no mistake, it is a choice - to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol you’re more likely to crash and more likely tokill or seriously injure yourself, your friends and anyone who happens to be in the way.

“We’ll be taking every opportunity to stop drivers we suspect of being under the influence and arresting anyone who fails an impairment test. We know what to look for, so chances are you will be caught."